The big-budget adaptation of Philip Pullman's fantasy epic His Dark Materials has a lead and director.

Dafne Keen, the breakout star of Logan, is set to star in the eight-part series alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, with Oscar-winning The King's Speech director Tom Hooper to helm, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Keen is set to play Lyra, one of the central characters who wanders through a series of parallel universes. Dakota Blue Richards starred as Lyra in the 2007 feature film adaptation The Golden Compass. Miranda joins as an adventurer called Lee Scoresby.

Ordered back in 2015 by the BBC, His Dark Materials has been written by the hugely in-demand Jack Thorne (Wonder) and is due to go into production later this year in Wales. Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner's Bad Wolf banner produces in association with New Line Cinema for BBC One.

Keen is represented by Independent Talent, Let’s Work Together and Rick Genow at Stone Genow. Hooper is represented by Independent Talent and ICM.